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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2011 6:05:07 GMT -5
:)I have been reading the posts and it seems like some colors are prone to health/hearing issues more than others. is there anything I need to watch for in an albino??
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Post by Sherry on May 23, 2011 8:27:57 GMT -5
Not at all The albino is one of the original colours for ferrets, along with the sable It's the DEW that has the hearing problems. As Heather usually puts it- got to love those 'bino babies And they have become few and far between in the pet stores, so if you see one, grab him(or her!)
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Post by joan on May 23, 2011 9:18:07 GMT -5
Albinoes can be any color/pattern genetically, since the albino gene prevents melanin from developing. So there is no way of telling whether or not they may develop the health problems and defects associated with certain color patterns. If they come from a background of sables only, so that they have the sable genetics, then they are as healthy as the sables...apart from possible vision and hearing problems which result from the albino gene.
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Post by Sherry on May 23, 2011 9:20:25 GMT -5
That's interesting, Joan. I remember reading that while they don't see in as broad a spectrum as other ferrets, that hearing has never been a problem for the albino. More so for the DEW, and other white marked fancies.
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Post by joan on May 23, 2011 12:42:03 GMT -5
I don't think hearing defects in albinoes have been all that well documented, but I have seen references to it occasionally...here's one of them:
(Albino ferrets—also called red-eyed whites—have abnormally small hearing mechanisms in their middle and inner ear; they can be hard of hearing but are not usually deaf.) "
And here's a link to the article: cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Deaf.htm
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Post by Sherry on May 23, 2011 12:45:14 GMT -5
That makes sense- thanks for posting that
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Post by kristin on May 23, 2011 13:27:14 GMT -5
Love the albinos. I had a big boy albino named Puck. He was the biggest, fluffiest ferret I've ever seen. Totally love bug, very chill. He reminded me of an old cat. I miss him. Haven't seen albinos on the market in years...
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Post by synu on May 23, 2011 13:35:41 GMT -5
I haven't noticed, but do we have any albinos here on the forum?
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2011 14:04:06 GMT -5
we have a few. heather has one i think, odin. i think sherry might have one. I'm not sure of others.
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Post by Sherry on May 23, 2011 14:18:32 GMT -5
Yep- our Vincent He's 3 yrs old now. Big snuggly kissy faced boy
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Post by synu on May 23, 2011 14:21:42 GMT -5
Is that the one in your picture?
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Post by crazylady on May 23, 2011 16:22:59 GMT -5
I have a load of albinos ( 8 one week old recent additions lol ) I have kept them for years and never had any problems I have never had a deaf one ( my father and grandfather favoured the albino ferret for hunting as did a lot of working ferreters through out england ) and there classed as the only true ferret but to be perfectly honest I have not had any hearing problems with my dews or silvers either ( I guess I am extremely lucky ) and as for eyesight all ferrets have poor eyesight they react to movement everything is blurry ( they dont need excellent eyesight there designed to hunt underground they have excellent noses and sense vibration through the whiskers take care bye for now Bev aka crazy lady
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Post by Sherry on May 23, 2011 19:04:38 GMT -5
Is that the one in your picture? Yes it is, he's about 8 months old there. I know that, because that's the last time any of them would keep a collar on ;D
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Post by Heather on May 23, 2011 20:05:58 GMT -5
My 8 or 9 yr old 'bino baby, Odin He's hale and hearty. Hears selectively like all ferrets and I love him to pieces. I could have dozens just like him. ciao
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2011 20:09:11 GMT -5
Wow, he looks really good for 8-9 years old. How is their vision? Are they most sensitive to light due to the lack of pigmentation?
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